Sand seeding/transfering sand between tanks
 

I have a 90 gal with 40 gal sump with about 20-30lbs of sand in it, the sand has been in there for about 2-3 weeks, tank and rock has been going for about a month or so. I have a 10 gal tank with about 10 - 15 lbs of well seeded sand. I want to add another 40 lbs of sand on top of what I have in my 90 gal and then take the 15lbs out of my 10 gal tank and spread that on top, does anybody see any problems with me doing that. I also have a torch, hairy mushroom, various mushrooms and some green star polyps in the 90 gal

I know doing something like that to well seeded sand would probably kill off most everything hat I wold want o keep...but laying well seeded sand overtop shouldn't be a problem should it? Just wondering about releasing amonia or something stupid like that. any help is appreaciated...thanks Joe

Sounds like you got the idea there.
Just be sure to really rinse your old live sand in some old tank water.
This will clean it up and stop the detrius from creating an ammonia spike in your new tank.

There is no problem with adding the 40 lbs.
If the sand in your 10 gallon have been there a while I would not add it all in or you could be in for a spike.
Scrape and inch or so off the top of the 10 gallon and add it to your 90.
Wait a couple of weeks, check your 10 gallon so that there is a zero ammonia reading and add the rest.

I forgot to mention in the 10 gal I have a red brain coral, some candy cane, ricordia, and a ton of various mushrooms...so I can't really afford to have an ammonia spike in either tank....

Are you keeping th 10 gallon?
How deep is the sand bed and how long has it been up and running?

I bought the tank off a fellow canreefer...he had the tank up and running for a year and half, I bought the tank and all hardware and livestock about 5 days ago. We/he bagged up all livestock, threw the live rock in a rubbermaid with just enough water to cover the rocks, left the sand in the tank with just enough water to keep the sand covered (tried not to disturb the sand) transported it home and reset up. There was only about 25% old water, the rest was used from another tank that had been cycled for 3-4 months. I was mainly after the livestock when I bought everything, but everything that he owned (fish related) was thrown into the deal so I'd take it as a package.

The sand that I want to use has a ton of critters in it that I would liketo transfer to the 90 gal, little shrimp, bugs and feather worms etc etc

the sand bed is 2-3 inches deep reef grade argonite (coarse stuff)
Eventually I wll be getting rid of the 10 gal tank

Put some of your main tank water in the ten gallon. Check the ammonia. If the reading is zero the sand is ok. If you get an ammonia reading, disperse a few scoops in the main tank to seed your main tank with the critters and wash the remaining sand before you place it in your main tank.

thanks guys...appreciated